“We played against each other (early on in minor hockey) and once it came to the AAA level we played with each other and we’ve been buddies ever since then,” Caruso says.
In minor hockey the players were the Sault Ste. Marie Reps, and later the Soo Greyhounds. The friends started out playing novice hockey, then atom and peewee. Brown branched out after their bantam years, while Caruso and Shell played major midget together. There was a lot of texting going on in advance of this hockey season when it looked like they’d all end up in Yarmouth.
Brown and Caruso have been named Mariners co-captains for the 2015-16 season. Shell is an alternate captain, along with Chad Cullen and Ryan Daley.
“It’s an honour, for sure,” says Brown. “It’s a great organization. A great coaching staff.”
Caruso adds as 20-year-olds, “It’s good to be able to give the younger players insight and help them along and to be leaders.”
This year’s Mariners squad is younger than last year’s team.
“Last year we had an older core, eight or nine 20s all year, this year we have a lot of younger ones but it’s a hard-working group,” says Brown.
“It might be a slow start, but once we start practising more, and bonding better, it should be good. We have a lot of skills,” Shell adds.
Caruso sees speed as an advantage of the team.
Meanwhile, asked who was the better hockey player when they were kids, the three friends shrug their shoulders.
“Not sure,” says one.
“I don’t know,” adds another.
“But in your minds you’re all probably thinking about the answer,” this reporter teases.
They all laugh. Friends to the end.
About these Yarmouth Mariners:
1. Tyler Brown: #47, left wing, shoots left, 6’2”, 213 lbs. Last team: Yarmouth Mariners, MHL. On life’s bucket list: to travel the world.
2. Michael Caruso: #6, defence, shoots left, 6’0”, 195 lbs. Last team: Soo Eagles, NAHL. Person who’s had biggest influence on his career: his dad.
3. Devin Shell: #17, forward, shoots left, 6’0”, 186 lbs. Last team: Soo Thunderbirds, NOJHL. Biggest hockey achievement: Competing at the RBC Cup.
“We played against each other (early on in minor hockey) and once it came to the AAA level we played with each other and we’ve been buddies ever since then,” Caruso says.
In minor hockey the players were the Sault Ste. Marie Reps, and later the Soo Greyhounds. The friends started out playing novice hockey, then atom and peewee. Brown branched out after their bantam years, while Caruso and Shell played major midget together. There was a lot of texting going on in advance of this hockey season when it looked like they’d all end up in Yarmouth.
Brown and Caruso have been named Mariners co-captains for the 2015-16 season. Shell is an alternate captain, along with Chad Cullen and Ryan Daley.
“It’s an honour, for sure,” says Brown. “It’s a great organization. A great coaching staff.”
Caruso adds as 20-year-olds, “It’s good to be able to give the younger players insight and help them along and to be leaders.”
This year’s Mariners squad is younger than last year’s team.
“Last year we had an older core, eight or nine 20s all year, this year we have a lot of younger ones but it’s a hard-working group,” says Brown.
“It might be a slow start, but once we start practising more, and bonding better, it should be good. We have a lot of skills,” Shell adds.
Caruso sees speed as an advantage of the team.
Meanwhile, asked who was the better hockey player when they were kids, the three friends shrug their shoulders.
“Not sure,” says one.
“I don’t know,” adds another.
“But in your minds you’re all probably thinking about the answer,” this reporter teases.
They all laugh. Friends to the end.
About these Yarmouth Mariners:
1. Tyler Brown: #47, left wing, shoots left, 6’2”, 213 lbs. Last team: Yarmouth Mariners, MHL. On life’s bucket list: to travel the world.
2. Michael Caruso: #6, defence, shoots left, 6’0”, 195 lbs. Last team: Soo Eagles, NAHL. Person who’s had biggest influence on his career: his dad.
3. Devin Shell: #17, forward, shoots left, 6’0”, 186 lbs. Last team: Soo Thunderbirds, NOJHL. Biggest hockey achievement: Competing at the RBC Cup.
